Day: April 2, 2014

Barking and Vacuuming

Monday, February 17, 2014

This morning, as ever, I worked to get Lucy down the stairs. She is so fearful, being partially blind, that she does not bound down any more. I stand at the bottom of the stairs to coax her. I go up again to pet her and assure her that everything will be fine. Valentino does his usual—up, down, up, down—trying to get Lucy to move from the top step and begin the descent. I often let him out the kitchen door first in the hopes that she will hear the door and will follow. Alas, her hearing is going, too.

Post Doggie Breakfast—

They have had their breakfast and Lucy is beside me in the office. Val is guarding the house against intruders, passers-by, squirrels, other dogs, and school buses from the living room window seat. Every now and again, he lets out a grunt and often breaks into a full bark when the occasion calls for it. This gets me running in to shush him. An invitation to join me in the office brings him running. Little sweetheart is so obedient. Doesn’t he remember that I will close the office door and keep him with me until mom wakes up? He’s no dummy. He knows. He likes being with Lucy and me.

The boy across the street, however, is a dummy. The night before last past midnight, he was outside, as he often is. But this time, he was barking, trying to enrage Valentino. Fortunately, Valentino was asleep upstairs and missed the ruckus. Rob and I were the only ones who heard him. This boy is the neighborhood skateboarder. A real nuisance. While I once applauded his exercising and taking up a sport instead of sitting at a computer all day (where I am now), I abhor his skateboarding in front of the house. Valentino hates the sound of the skateboard. We have tried desensitizing him, but Val is stubborn. I begin to see that it might not be the skateboard, but the boy (going on 18 at least, possibly in his 20s and not very productive from what I see) himself. I think his bravado in the wee hours of the morning was uncalled for. I feel I am back in Trenton at time, with horns blaring and people shouting at 3:00 am with no regard for anyone else. So it goes. At least here, it’s not that often. I do long, however, for the day this boy moves away or grows up. Preferably both. (At least he cannot awaken my mother with his calls. In fact, I can vacuum in her room without disturbing her.)

My Neighbor—

My neighbor B had a shock on Saturday. Her mother, now at Rittenhouse, had what was thought a seizure or a stroke. Turned out to be hypertension. Arlene is a year younger than my mother, but not of good cheer. Was terribly difficult for B and so was the decision to put her into a nursing home after 13 years. But now B has a life, still a life of service to many, but one without the constraints and demands of a woman who never loved her. Hard to imagine not loving your only daughter, especially one as loving and as selfless as B.

 

 

Mike, Soup, and Cold Dogs

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Went to church this morning, but had to get mom up first and give her breakfast. Fortunately, Rob took care of the coffee and juice. And I remembered to give her the turmeric. I knew Mike would ask about it, so I didn’t want to say I had forgotten. Anyhow, I told her that today Mike would be coming over to do his laundry. Normally, she would ask who he was. But she seemed to remember a bit. Than after church, I told her I was going to pick up someone who had to do his laundry here. I asked her if she remembered who. Mom hesitated for a second, but then said, “Mike.” Of course, we are only into a full week with the turmeric, but I would say this is quite a turnabout.

Mom sleeps well here, in part because Aunt Rose is no longer sharing her bed. Rose was quite ill there for a while and would awaken vomiting and coughing in her own vomit. She would also evacuate her bowels and bladder in bed. So nights were tough for mom for quite a while. The worst that happens here is that a dog will bark early in the morning, eliciting a Shut up from mom. Fortunately, the dogs’ feelings are not easily hurt. 

Call from my friend Richard B. tonight. I placed a bid for him on eBay—my first bid ever. This is for a Johnson Brothers Victorian creamer. Hope he gets it. It’s quite beautiful. Nice that he wants to complete the set and keep things intact. Says something for him, his memories, appreciation of lovely things, his past. Richard is in his early 80s. Life was and has been good to him. He still cares. His lovely wife is long gone, but Richard will leave precious things to his boys, his wife’s sons. I hope they appreciate his efforts. Family, memories, a set of china—intact. How wonderful is that!

Speaking of memories, I showed mom some photos that Ann sent. She recognized her son and her sister Rose. And this time, she did not call me Rose. This time, she did not point to that ancient face and say, That’s you, Rose. This time, she spared me. 

Still soup weather. It’s a balmy 24 degrees right now, but will go down to single digits tonight. The snow is piled high and promises to get higher with more snow coming this week and the week after next. Who knows? Weather’s a crapshoot. But soup—well, soup is a necessity. I am making broccoli cheddar soup with organic broccoli, sautéed onions, potatoes, and cheddar cheese and sprinkling it with Himalayan pink salt and freshly ground pepper (is there any other kind?). We keep the big pots of soup out on the porch, where they practically freeze overnight. It’s nice to have an extra place to keep the foods that must be kept cold. Mom says she doesn’t like soup, but usually finishes it right up. I serve hers in a cup so she won’t be any the wiser. She loves my soups. 

Dog Run

Dogs must go out into the cold once more. They have only a small spot in which to do their business—at least until we shovel out a bigger place. Val can run the yard, but Lucy cannot. Still, she manages. Yesterday, I caught Val eating poopsicles. So I ran outside to stop him and slipped in the snow. Am planning to call Dr. B, best chiropractor in town, to undo any damage. Doesn’t pay to get crazy over what the dogs do. Had to burn candles (found a few of the soy variety) to overcome the smells Val was venting thanks to his overly rich snack. Oy! Candles do help.

Must call Dr. S tomorrow. I think mom has a bladder infection. Her urine is rank and she is experiencing frequency—unbeknownst to her. If you tell mom she has just been to the bathroom, she will deny it. Or she will cover up her ignorance by saying, But I didn’t go. I just sat here. Of course, you know she went, and you wiped her butt. Wonder how long it will take the turmeric to really kick in. Wonder if it will. Am willing to give it a chance and will keep giving it to mom. You never know. Also need to look into D-mannose to prevent bladder infections. It’s good to be vigilant, but caregiving never gets easier. Caregiving has its endless routines, but it is never routine.